If you can’t participate in person this year, you can donate to your preferred cause or team and support them in reaching their fundraising goal.  

13 August: City to Surf  

Beneficiary: Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research 

With more than 80,000 people taking part every year, the City to Surf is the world’s biggest fun run. Spanning a 14-kilometre route from Sydney’s centre to Bondi Beach, the event is as popular as ever. Run, jog, walk or stroll, but make sure you don’t miss it. 

Register or donate 

16 September: Firies Climb for MND  

Beneficiary: Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research 

You don’t need to be a firefighter to take part in this great event – all you need is determination and strong legs. Firefighter Gavin Clifton and his team will go up and down the Furber Steps (951 steps) in Katoomba for an impressive non-stop 16 hours, starting from midnight on Friday 15 September and continuing until 4pm the next day. Their ambitious goal is to raise $50,000 for MND research. 

Register or donate 

17 September: Sydney Marathon  

Beneficiary: Macquarie’s Dementia Research Centre  

Did you know you could run in the Sydney Marathon for free? All you need to do is join Macquarie’s Dementia Research Centre team and generate $500 or more in fundraising through the website. By doing so, your marathon fee will be refunded to your bank account. Although this goal might seem significant, it takes on average about seven donations to reach the $500 milestone. You can choose between walking and running, and the distances range from 3.5 kilometres to a full 42-kilometre marathon. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to be part of this rewarding experience and contribute to vital dementia research.  

Register or donate

“There’s a lot of red dirt, a couple of pubs, and not much to do,” he says. “It was always my plan to move away. But going to uni didn’t really come into the picture. It’s far away, it’s expensive, and not many people know how to navigate what’s required to move to a bigger city to study on your own.”

Thanks to Bailey’s hard work and the intervention of his AFL coach and school careers advisor (“He told me that dreaming of playing footy wasn’t enough – I needed to get a university degree”), Bailey was successful in securing a Regional and Remote Support Scholarship for study at Macquarie University.

“My scholarship 100 per cent changed my life plans and my future,” he says. “There’s still no place like home, but it’s changed my view of where I can go and what I can do in the world.”

Read more of Bailey’s story >

This tax time, consider supporting scholarships to give students like Bailey the opportunity to succeed. Donations are tax deductible and Macquarie staff have the option of supporting via pre-tax salary donations.

At Macquarie, the focus is on equity scholarships, which can make a huge difference to students. When someone has the ambition and tenacity to educate themselves, great things can happen for them, their family and their community.

Please support our students by donating to our equity scholarships fund.

“The only way that representation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities can increase in academia (currently 0.7% of staff at Macquarie) is by creating the opportunity for students to get into university,” says Cathy Rytmeister, a staff member who has chosen to donate to the equity scholarship fund.

The joy and pride felt by the scholarship recipients is palpable.

“Families all cry when you get a scholarship!” says scholarship recipient Mackenzie Dewsbury.

Here are some of our students talking about the massive positive impact that their scholarships have had on their lives:

This full-length video is 5m12s; there’s a shorter 90-second cut.

Read student Kyh’s Samuelsson’s journey to University, which was made possible by Macquarie’s Equity Scholarship Fund. Kyh is the first in his family to go to university, with the older kids in his hometown of Lightning Ridge providing inspiration as role models and the Equity Scholarship providing the means.

Check out our story from December to find out who the staff are behind our University fundraising.

Make a difference to the life of young person in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community – it could change not just a life, but a whole community.

To go into the draw to win one of these double passes, email the Philanthropy team at mqadvancement@mq.edu.au by 5pm Thursday 26 May. Simply provide your name, contact number and a secure postal address. Winners will be notified via email by 3 June and the tickets posted to the address provided.

If you are not lucky enough to win a pass, you can purchase discounted tickets to the exhibition online using the discount code ‘AGNSWSPONSOR’ when purchasing tickets (limit two tickets per transaction).

The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman exhibition 2022 is on now until 28 August.

Every year, the Centre hosts a gala dinner to raise funds for its work, on account of the pandemic the last event was last held in 2019. A popular part of the evenings has been a live auction featuring a number of money-can’t-buy lots.

In 2019, the gala dinner raised more than $215,000, with the auction of a purebred Hereford heifer from Professor Dominic Rowe’s Hunter Valley farm adding to the total.

As Dominic makes a practice of not naming his cattle, the heifer continues to be known by her number: 42.

“The successful bidder paid $5000 for 42 and she’s now living out her life in comfort on the farm,” he says.

“She’s pregnant and the calf is due in August, so this year we’re keeping up the tradition by auctioning her unborn calf.”

The heifer, or steer, could be transferred to another certified property but Dominic’s preferred option is for it to remain on his farm, where he will keep feeding and caring for it.

“I send the successful bidders regular updates and photos and they’re also welcome to drop in for tea and scones any time to see how the animal is going!” he says.

The 2022 MND Gala Dinner is being held on Friday 17 June at the Art Gallery of NSW, and includes a sumptuous two-course meal, live entertainment and a private viewing of the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes Exhibition 2022.

Tickets are $250 each, or $2250 for a table of 10. Get in quick, though – seats are limited and they’re selling fast.

Even if you can’t attend the dinner, there are still options to support the Centre’s much-needed research. Donations of any size are always appreciated, or if you would like to provide a suitable raffle or auction prize, please email the fundraising team at mndcommunity@mq.edu.au.

Pictured above: Pregnant Hereford ’42’ on Professor Dominic Rowe’s farm.

The Grateful Patient Program was created in 2019 to give patients and their families a way to say thank you for the care they have received at Macquarie University Hospital or MQ Health Clinics.

MQ Health Chief Operating Officer Dr Welly Firmanto says that the assistance provided by the program ranged from tests not covered by a patient’s health fund to entire operations.

“Clinicians identify and recommend that patients request funding from the program when costs are a challenge, and we are usually able to help about three to four patients every year, using donations from former patients,” he said.

“All MQ Health clinicians and staff can have a role in helping to promote the program by letting patients know of its existence. MQ Health sits in a unique position in the Australian healthcare landscape. As a not-for-profit, academically-driven healthcare organisation, charity is very much part of our mission. But without the generosity of our donors, the Grateful Patient Program would not be able to exist.”

Britt was the first patient to benefit from a Grateful Patient grant. She had spent two years trying to get to the bottom of why her left leg had become swollen after an overseas flight. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and a tumour had been ruled out early on, but her entire leg remained swollen, and it was growing progressively worse.

“My GP had vaguely mentioned it might be lymphoedema,” Britt said. “My leg was still swollen, but no-one found anything; everyone stopped looking and no-one guided me. A year later, I developed cellulitis, which can be fatal.”

After hearing about MQ Health’s specialist Lymphoedema Clinic and reading about other patients’ experiences on a Facebook support group, Britt began to wonder if she had May-Thurner syndrome, a rare problem that is often triggered by flying and can increase the risk of DVT in the left leg.

Macquarie vascular surgeon Dr Daniel Nguyen ordered an MRI, then an intravenous ultrasound – a costly test that she would have struggled to afford without a grant from the Grateful Patient Program.

“Dr Nguyen found I had May-Thurner syndrome, but all the other tests had missed it,” she said. “If it’s not treated, it gets worse.

“I’d been a walking timebomb for the past two and a half years – I could have dropped dead just getting on a plane. I wasn’t aware these grants were available, but Dr Nguyen applied on my behalf, and I’m very grateful that this option was there. I’d already spent close to $20,000 on surgery, pumps, specialists’ appointments, tests and special stockings. Having gone through two years of haemorrhaging money, the grant alleviated that pressure toward the end of last year and allowed me to put the money I’d saved towards inserting a stent to help treat the problem.”

Coffs Harbour resident Alison recently made a donation of $5,000 to the program following surgery to remove a cyst from her lower back.

“I’ve always led a healthy, active life, but I was at the stage where I needed a walking frame and could barely make it down the hall,” she said. “I couldn’t even lie down without pain. We live in Coffs Harbour, and because of COVID-19, I had to have a teleconference with the specialist, Dr Shinuo Liu. I had my doubts about telehealth, because I wouldn’t be seeing him in person, but he had really done his research. He knew so much about me!

“I was very impressed with the hospital and the staff when I had my surgery. Everything was arranged when I got there, and the staff were so welcoming. Every nurse who came to my room introduced herself to me and told me what she’d be doing. I saw Dr Liu every single day I was there, and his assistant sometimes twice a day. I’ve never in my life seen that in a hospital, and I worked as a nurses’ aide for seven years.

“It was a long, complicated operation, but the change was like someone switching the light on. The next day, I could already walk down the hall and I felt I was one of the very, very lucky people in the world. We’re not super wealthy, but when I saw you could donate money to the hospital, I thought that’s what I’d do, so I donated $5,000.”

The Grateful Patient Program welcomes donations not just from patients: everyone can contribute.

If you would like to support this life-changing project, please contact the Philanthropy Team on +61 (2) 9850 1386 (Monday to Friday) or by email. 

The Advancement Office experienced some changes this year and is now known as the Philanthropy Team reporting to the Office of the Vice-Chancellor. We thought it was the perfect time to highlight this very important area of the University.

Who are you?

The Philanthropy team is led by Hedda Paisley, the Executive Director. The engine room, the place in which everything gets done, includes Eresha De Silva – Prospect Research Manager, Candice Man Yan – Campaign Project Officer, Lyndon Davis – Gift Processing Officer, Ruwanthi Gunaratne – Gift Processing Officer and Anne Van Uden – Administration Officer.

The Major Gifts, Community and Individual team covers everything from small gifts from individuals, community events and annual giving to large donations from high-net-worth donors and Private Ancillary Funds. This team includes Lesley Malarkey – Senior Development Manager, Andrew Graves – Development Manager Major Gifts, Samantha Rosenfels – Development Manager Major Gifts, Stephen Gallagher – Development Officer Major Gifts and Jackie Gent – Development Officer Community and Individual Giving.

The Trusts and Foundations team works with Philanthropic Foundations, Trusts and Public Ancillary Funds. They work very closely with the Research Office, Faculties and researchers to secure philanthropic support. This team includes Manasi Kogekar – Senior Development Manager Trusts and Foundations and Courtney Sullivan – Development Manager Trusts and Foundations.

How do you contribute to the University’s mission?

The Philanthropy Team creates, develops and manages relationships with alumni, friends and donors, and other supporters who help advance the University’s mission. Our vision is to create a lasting and impactful legacy for the University, its students, academics, researchers and the community through building deep relationships and raising funds in an ethical, transparent, and sustainable way.

Our role is to build long term, respectful and productive relationships with donors, supporters, alumni and within our team. We work in partnership with the University Executive, Executive Deans and professional staff colleagues in identifying and stewarding donors and supporters, and in turn, promote the good name of the University.

What are some things that motivate people to give to Macquarie?

This may come as a surprise, but one of the top reasons people give for donating is because they were asked! So, it is our job to ask. Our job is also to ask for the right amount at the right time and for the right cause. Gifts are very personal, and it is the job of the fundraiser to match the cause with the donor.

Whether it’s a million-dollar gift, or a smaller one of just $5, we make sure the donor is thanked properly for their generosity. All gifts both large and small make a difference.

How has COVID impacted the team’s activities this year?

Unable to hold many of our physical donor events our team has held virtual events via Zoom, including changing our Archibald Prize dinner usually held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The annual Firies Climb for MND was put on hold and reverted to a peer-to-peer fundraising event #1504forMND, which individuals can complete in their own time.

What have been some the team’s highlights of 2021?

In spite of COVID-19, our team exceeded our target for the year of philanthropic funds by raising $17.3 million (target: $15 million) and is on track to exceed our target for philanthropic funds received. We have also held some fantastic events such as the Archibald Prize online donor event, and one with the Lincoln Legacy Society for donors who have committed to leaving a gift in their will to support a wide range of inspiring student and research projects.

We have been part of successful grant wins such as Dr Andy Barron receiving over $295,000 from the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation to develop an early-warning system to enable beekeepers to detect hives at risk of decline and help halt the decline of the honeybee population. Additionally, we have seen $1.38m raised in 2020/2021 to support the Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research to help fund clinical trials, biobank and the MND Clinic which is run entirely on donations.

Anything exciting on the horizon?

The Trusts and Foundations team has developed a new strategy for 2022 and beyond which focuses on proactively building relationships with both international (US, Asia) and local Trusts and Foundations. We aim to actively pitch our researchers’ work to these Foundations to obtain even more funding to support their ground-breaking research.

The Major Gifts, Community and Individual Giving Teams will be organising a number of cultivation and stewardship events in 2022 for current and prospective donors.

How can staff engage with Philanthropy?

This month, we are launching a Scholarship Appeal to raise money to support deserving students. Students face tougher financial challenges and barriers to education than ever before and we are appealing to alumni, staff and the MQ community to help them. Find out more here.

The Trusts and Foundations team provides support and expert guidance to academics and staff who are applying for philanthropic grants. A list of these funders is available on the MQ Research webpage here. Please reach out to the team if you are applying for a grant from a Trust or Foundation on advancement.grants@mq.edu.au.

The Philanthropy Team now falls under the Office of the Vice Chancellor and our current office location is in the Hearing Hub, Level 2, 16 University Way. If you’d like to contact us, feel free to reach out on 02 9850 1386 or mqadvancement@mq.edu.au.